Angels Sign Mets Rumored Free Agent Target Despite Speculation In New York's Favor

One of New York's rumored targets reportedly is off the market

It sounds like one more option is off the table for the New York Mets.

New York has been busy this offseason after bringing in former Milwaukee Brewers executive David Stearns to be the club's president of baseball operations. The Mets have made a handful of moves and certainly are in a better place.

New York improved its starting rotation by signing Luis Severino and Sean Manaea and has made some other intriguing moves as well. The Mets have been looking for help in the bullpen and have been linked to a handful of hurlers.

One player who was mentioned as a fit for the Mets is former Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Tampa Bay Rays reliever Robert Stephenson. He was seen as the top remaining right-handed reliever and New York was floated as a possible landing spot.

Although this is the case, New York reportedly missed out on him as he agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Angels, according to FanSided's Robert Murray.

"Free-agent pitcher Robert Stephenson in agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal," Murray said.

Stephenson is an eight-year Major League Baseball veteran with a career 4.64 ERA and 406-to-159 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 271 total appearances. Although his numbers don't jump off the paper, he was most impressive down the stretch after joining Tampa Bay last season. He had a 2.35 ERA in 42 total appearances and had an eye-popping 60-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

There still are plenty of intriguing options available in free agency for the Mets if they still want to add to the bullpen. A few players who still are available are Aroldis Chapman, David Robertson, and Wandy Peralta.